WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Intel Corporation announced an expansion of their ongoing collaboration to utilize technology to further economic and social development around the world. The two organizations have launched 20 public-private partnerships over the last five years in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, March 13, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Intel Corporation will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to expand their ongoing collaboration to utilize technology to further economic and social development around the world.

USAID Administrator Shah Discusses the Transforming Role of Development in Shaping and Supporting America’s Foreign Policy Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), today released the Agency’s second annual letter, focusing on the elevated role of development in America’s foreign policy efforts.

BOMA, SOUTH SUDAN - The United States Government inaugurated the Boma National Park Headquarters in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, drawing attention to the important role that the establishment of protected area management and local governance infrastructure can play in contributing to security, stability, eco-tourism and economic growth, especially in the more isolated regions of South Sudan. This critical infrastructure was built with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Policy Speech Emphasizes Development Reform, Direct Partnerships with Local Governments, and Investments for the American People

This afternoon, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), delivered a major speech entitled "Transforming Foreign Aid." In addition to addressing the current state of development, Shah proposed significant efforts to elevate aid effectiveness. The address was given at the Council on Foreign Relations annual John B. Hurford Memorial Lecture.

USAID's Youth Initiative, which forms part of the USAID-Tijara Provincial Economic Growth Program will mark its two-year anniversary in April 2012. Since the start of the program, loans valued at $3,625,100 have enabled 1,045 young entrepreneurs to build businesses that today employ 2,220 Iraqis. The pace of job creation is increasing, with more than 1,000 new jobs created during the last quarter of 2011 thanks to microfinance loans totaling $1.63 million.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, during a White House event, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched the Agency's new Policy on Gender Equality and Female Empowerment.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Continuing the momentum of the recently signed Partnership for Growth joint country action plan, the governments of the United States and El Salvador today finalized a framework for monitoring and evaluating the five-year effort.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, March 1, Nancy Lindborg, Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, will be speaking at the Foreign Press Center to discuss USAID's commitment to assist communities in the Sahel region.

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) partnered with GSMA and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) to conduct research into the opportunities that mobiles provide to underserved women in emerging markets. Primary research was undertaken by TNS and GSMA released the findings last month. The research, entitled 'Portraits: A Glimpse into the Lives of Women at the Base of the Pyramid', is the first to survey the wants, needs, aspirations and mobile uses of women living at the base of the pyramid (BoP). These women are living on less than two U.S. dollars a day. The research brings the voices of BoP women to life through eight fictional, composite portraits of respondents, shown against a backdrop of the macro-level data from which the portraits were constructed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, March 1st, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah and Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg will be joined by Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Development to unveil the Agency's new Gender Policy on Gender Equality and Female Empowerment.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A significant new breakthrough in the measurement of women's empowerment in developing countries is launched today. The "Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index" (WEAI) is the first measure to directly capture women's empowerment and inclusion levels in the agricultural sector.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Monday, February 27th, representatives from Feed the Future (FTF), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) of Oxford University will brief on the "Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index" (WEAI). The Index will be launched on February 28th at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, at a White House event, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched the Agency's new 2012 Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Policy to reinvigorate and focus USAID's efforts to combat human trafficking around the world.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, February 28th, the "Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index" (WEAI), will be launched at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The WEAI is the first ever measure to directly capture women's empowerment and inclusion levels in the agricultural sector. Women play a critical role in agricultural growth in developing countries. Yet they face persistent obstacles and economic constraints, limiting further inclusion in the sector.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development will unveil its Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance, at a ceremony on Monday, February 27, at 4 p.m. in the Ronald Regan Building's Point 4 Conference Room.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is aiming to establish a sustainable local market and industry for clean cooking solutions in Haiti, a country whose high demand for charcoal has contributed to widespread deforestation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the University of Nebraska announced a new partnership to expand research and development capacities in the Middle East, with a focus on water management. USAID Administrator, Rajiv Shah and University of Nebraska President, James Milliken signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today that hopes to increase food production and improve water management in the Middle East.